UAE-India ties: Sheikh Mohamed, PM Modi to hold virtual summit

In recent years, bilateral relations between India and the UAE have strengthened in all areas

Photo for illustrative purposes

A Staff Reporter

Published: Wed 16 Feb 2022, 4:45 PM

Last updated: Wed 16 Feb 2022, 11:33 PM

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a virtual summit on Friday, February 18, 2022, aimed at deepening the historic and strategic ties between both countries by strengthening cooperation and joint partnerships in a number of areas.

During the summit, the two leaders will witness the signing of key strategic agreements between the fraternal countries in India’s capital, New Delhi.

This includes the United Arab Emirates-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (UAE-India CEPA) which will usher in a new era of economic cooperation and unlock greater avenues for trade and investment.

The two leaders will discuss a range of regional and global issues of mutual concern, as well as ways to establish stronger strategic bilateral ties under the auspices of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in 2017.

Bilateral ties between the UAE and India have intensified significantly in recent years.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited India in 2016 and 2017, while the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the UAE in 2015, 2018 and 2019 to deepen the strategic bond between the two nations.

Ministerial visits between the two sides have also continued, including three visits by S. Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, and a visit by Piyush Goyal, India's Minister for Commerce and Industry, in 2021.

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Both sides collaborated closely during the Covid-19 pandemic in critical areas of healthcare and food security. Bilateral trade, investment and energy relations have remained robust.

The two sides are also strengthening their cooperation in new areas of renewable energy, start-ups and fintech.

India is participating in Expo 2020 Dubai with one of the largest country pavilions.

Launched five months ago, UAE-India CEPA negotiations proceeded swiftly, leading to a landmark agreement in an unprecedented timeframe.

Today, the UAE is India’s third largest trade partner and accounts for approximately 40 percent of its trade with the Arab world.

Bilateral non-oil trade is anticipated to rise to $100 billion within five years.